AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/15/2004 3:28:34 PM EDT
|
I just picked up a new Insight Technologies/Springfield Armory XML Weapon Light. It is probably the smallest, lightest weapon light made. I've never seen anything smaller. I paid the retail $99.95 for it, but it can probably be found discounted somewhere. I just decided to get it locally so that I could try it out right away. First of all, it is very very small and light. It is only 2.4" long and about 1.2" wide and 1.5" high. It weighs only 1.7 oz, complete with the single CR2 battery installed. That also includes the built-in mounting system too. It doesn't require any ring mount that would add bulk, weight, or expense. Even the smallest SureFire single-battery light weighs more and is longer, and isn't as bright, and if you added a ring mount, it would weigh even more then. This XML is almost twice as bright as the SureFire E1-E Executive, and is smaller and lighter, to boot. It has an output of 50 lumens(peak), and has a run time of 60 minutes. It has an Xenon-filled incandescent lamp and is not an LED light. It is water resistant, but not really submersible, although there are O-rings on the caps. I wanted a very small and lightweight weapon light that would not add any unnecessary weight or bulk to the front of my gun(AR15 carbine). The XML excells in this regard. It is hardly even noticeable on the rail - until you click it on, and then it really "shines". The 50 lumen output is quite remarkable for a single battery unit, and is nice and bright. It is not quite as bright as a Surefire G2, but it's close. It is way brighter than any Surefire single-battery light. I know some people say that you need at least 60 lumens, but I think this is bright enough for my use. I only plan to use it for close work(within 35 yds or less) and emergency use inside the house(if I have to do a search). I have taken it out in the yard, and I can see/identify anything I would need to out to about 50 yards, in pitch black conditions(no moonlight because of clouds). It is plenty bright for inside the house in the dark, and it lights the whole room easily, with a good bright center spot too. It is my thought that having a big bulky light is too much on the front of the gun, even if it does have a bright output. The light falls off at the inverse square relationship to distance, and even a high output flashlight has a hard time over 50 yards. I have a 4D Maglight too, and my little XML lights nearly as far and nearly as well, but not quite. But the XML is smaller than the head of my Maglight. In this case, I think that more isn't necessarily better, because any added size and weight on the front of the weapon is not productive. I'm not trying to "light up the world", but only wanting to light up what I want to see, within reasonable 35 - 50yd zone, for CQB or identification purposes. If I want to do long range shooting at night, I'll use night vision equipment. What I wanted was a very small, lightweight weaponlight that is easy on/off the gun, and doesn't change the weight or balance of the gun. It only needs to light up for 50yds or less. It needed to be affordable, and low-cost on batteries(one battery). At 1.7 ounce weight, and about the size of a small pocket match box, this is about as good as it gets. If you want an aircraft landing light on the front of your gun, more power to you, but I don't want that much weight on my gun. If I need that much, I'll use auxiliary lighting equipment. This is just for "giving me reasonable, tactically useful light when I need it", and not being in the way when I don't. It uses the same spring-locking system as the other Insight Technologies weapon lights, and it slides onto the Picatinny rail just fine. The crossbar is not as wide as the rail slots, so there is some fore/aft play, but the side to side fit is great. It goes on and off the rail easily. You have to remove the light from the rail to access the battery compartment. That is a minor issue that bothered me a little, but it comes off quickly. I don't think it will be a problem for me. The light is activated with a 2-way rotating switch, that clicks it on in one direction, or momentary in the other direction, similar to the other Insight Technologies weapon lights. I don't know if a pressure tape switch is available for this light. I don't use one. I mounted it on the 3 o'clock rail near the front, and when my hand is on the KAC vertical grip, I can work the switch easily and reliably with my thumb, without changing my grip on the weapon. I've had no problem with recoil or shooting shock with the light for the short time I've had it, but I cannot report on any long term reliability yet. It fits on any Picatinny rail, Glock rail, or Insight Technologies adapters for shotgun barrel mount. All in all, I think this light is a real winner for anyone that wants to keep the weight and bulk of their weapon down to a minimum, and still have the use of a dedicated weapon light. It is not the brightest light available, but it is bright enough for most uses, and is not weak by any means. It's pretty close to a Surefire G2 in brightness. It is a bright light that works for the intended purposes very well. Also, it only takes one battery, which keeps replacement battery costs lower. And it still runs bright for an hour on each battery. It is amazing how bright and small and lightweight this XML is. I know you can get more lumens for similar money, but you'll have more bulk and weight. This is the smallest and lightest one around, and if that is a factor, then this is a good choice to consider. It is so small and light, that you could take it off and carry it around in your pocket, and not even know it's there. It would do good double duty for an everyday carry light, when it is not on the gun. I don't know how anything could get smaller than this, and still be almost as bright as a SureFire 2-battery(6v) light. |
AR Sponsor